Traceability

Traceability in a model means that it is possible to navigate among related elements, even if those elements are of different kinds or located in different packages. This is an important part of model verification because it enables you to ensure the consistency of information that may be represented in fundamentally different ways or different parts of the model. For example:

• Are the requirements properly represented in the use case functional analysis?
• Do the design elements properly satisfy the requirements?
• Is the design consistent with the architectural principles?
• Do the physical interfaces properly realize the logical interface definitions?

The value of traceability goes well beyond model verification. The primary reasons for providing traceability are to support:

• Impact analysis: determine the impact of change, such as:
  • If I change this requirement or this design element, what are the elements that are...